Ceremony naming park for former fire chief McSwain delayed

A public ceremony formally naming the city park at 19th Street and Haskell Avenue for a former Lawrence fire chief has been rescheduled for May 10, the city announced Tuesday.

The park is to be named for Jim McSwain, former fire chief of Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical. McSwain held the post for 27 years, from 1978 to 2005, and oversaw the combining of fire and medical services in the department. He died in 2008. The naming of the park was suggested by family members.

The city originally set the naming ceremony for Friday, but rescheduled it for 3 p.m. on May 10 because cool weather is expected late this week, according to a city news release. Parking will be available behind the Lawrence-Douglas County Training Center, 1941 Haskell Ave., adjacent to the park.

The five-acre park was developed in the 1960s, with a shelter and playground added in the 1990s, and is noted for the fire training facility located there.

For more information, contact Lawrence Parks and Recreation Department at 785-832-3450.